English Literature

ATA is the premier organization in the US teaching the martial art form of Taekwondo to people of all ages (www.ataonline.com). Since its inception, the Associations aim is to provide students the highest quality martial arts instruction available in safe and positive learning environment ( HYPERLINK httpwww.ataonline.comabout httpwww.ataonline.comabout, para 2). ATA is today established as the leader in the martial arts industry, especially the Taekwondo form of martial arts. This paper gives a brief history of ATA and its founder Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee and their work.

American Taekwondo Association (ATA) was founded in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska by Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee. Today, ATA has its branches all over the world through its two affiliates, the Songahm Taekwondo Federation (STF), founded in 1984, and the World Traditional Taekwondo Union (WTTU), founded in 1990. The ATA covers member schools in the United States while the STF encompasses member schools in South America. WTTU cover the schools in the rest of the world. With over 1500 schools and clubs all over the world and a membership of over 350,000, ATA is one of the largest Taekwondo organizations in the world (Wikipedia). Currently, the ATA is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and is led by Soon Ho Lee, brother of Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee.

The person behind ATA, Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee was born in Manchuria, China on 20 July 1936. He began his martial arts training as a teenager in 1953 and graduated to first degree black belt in 1954. He joined the Korean army as a Taekwondo trainer in 1956 and three years later opened a Taekwondo school at Osan Air Force Base where he trained American serviceman Richard Reed. Reed facilitated Lees immigration to the US which subsequently led him to found the ATA in 1969. In 1973, Lee wrote his first instructor manual, which helped standardize the inner workings of ATA School.

In 1983, Lee introduced the Songahm style of the martial art at ATA. During the early years of its operation, ATA used the Chahng-hun style but Eternal Grand Master Lee felt that the style did not accurately reflect the beauty of Taekwondo. So between 1983 and 1990, Eternal Grand Master Lee introduced the eighteen forms Songahm style in ATA. The Songahm style enables a smooth progression from one rank to the next while also focusing in the development of the mind and body ( HYPERLINK httpwww.ataonline.com www.ataonline.com). The system aims to first build a strong foundation so that person can progress to the next rank only after he has mastered one rank and only under proper guidance. Eternal Grand Master Lee wrote several instructor manuals on each of the nine ranks explaining the Songahm style. His contributions to Taekwondo have helped make spread form of martial art around the world.

Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee passed away in 2000, leaving behind a hugely successful organization which has in US become synonymous with Taekwondo. The Songahm Taekwondo style introduced by him helps students to master the martial art in an easy and enjoyable manner. He was a true leader whose legacy will help train generations of students in this grand martial art style. His motto Today not possible, tomorrow possible will remain the guiding light for ATA for years to come.